Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-13
"A CONViCI'S ROMANCE.
Hoping for Pardon After Nineteen
Years Imprisonment.
From the Nea0 YORK. Ttj6une.

cars AIlilElSoHhlftit'
Fran the Neqo York T,j6une.
COLUMBUS, o., Jan. 9.-Within a few
months the Ohio penitentiary has become
prominent in print from scandalous eX-
posures of mismanagement, but the in
vestigation also disclosed the fact that
many of the conyicts have led romantic
even if vicious lives. The most remarka-
bic convict in the prison IL Billy Car
roll, who is serving life sentence for a
crime of which be claims to be innocent.
In 1866 "a party OF cracksmen descended
upon the Brown county treasury in
Georgetown near Cincinnati. he WORK
OF "bl0Wlng" the eaiG was inter-
rupted by Adam Rose, the ianitor.
VINO, not content with spelling the lob,
wished to cover himself with glory b9 ar
resting the four thieves singlehauded.
Naturally enough Rose was lett dead by
the safe and his murderers fled Public
Indignation famed and the four were
caught-Hullng, Benton, Jones and Car
roll. AT New Richmond Carroll escaped
from Deputy Peter McCormlck, and every
effort was made TO capture MIN. A year
later he was reported living at Freeport,
III. The officers who went Tor him
found +. w. Smith, a prosperous
fOundryman. suspected of being
Billy Carroll, and would not be-
lieye it, Tor Billy Carroll was noted
as professional craftsman and smith
as good citizen. But 10 convince his ac-
cusers OF his own Innocence Smith went to
Brown county OF his own accord and in
yted trial. 70 his surprise jury found
him guilty of murder in the second degree,
and his sentence was for life. The other
men received various sentences and all
have either served their time or been par
dOned. Even Huling, who was sentenced
TO be hanged, served eight years after his
sentence had been committed, and was
pardOned.
Smith was snatched from a prosperous
business and loving wife Of a year to be-
gin living death. He has been confined
for nineteen years. longer than all the 9TH
ers served together. He is known not as
Smith, but as Billy Carroll, and he is the
only prisoner who has lived more than fiji
teen years in solitary confinement without
going out OF his cell once in that time. The
story of his lie as he tells il has almost
convinced several Governors of mis- inno-
cence, and the present administration has
had his pardon under serious c0nsidera-
ton. He would have been pardOned wears
ago except for the fact that in 1870 he
killed fellow convict who had attacked
him in the foundry. For tnis Carroll was
convicted Of manslaughter and sentenced
to ten years imprisonment. This term
he has served out. That a man serving a
a life sentence could be sentenced to ten
years additional seems peculiar, yet the
court considered 1t q matter of form
necessary to he followed. This is his
story.
Carroll, or Smith, as he calls himself,
was born IN New York II years ago. His
parents are still living and are wealthy.
His brother is prominent official on
Western railroad. Edward was a born me-
cnanlc, and before he vas II he went
West fully equipped as a machinist TO
manage any establishment. He enlisted
in the First Missouri Cavalry and saw
Gen. Lyon killed at Wilson Greek. He
was, during the Missouri campaign, under
Gen. John Z. Back, now Commissioner
OF Pensions, and ne relates many an incl
dent OF their acquaintance. He was
transferred to the gunboat service and
was captured at Nickeburg. He was in
Libby and Columbia, but was exchanged,
Once when sent to Cincinnati for arms
Smith was present when Gov. Foraker,
then mere boy, emil ted. He says the
youth OF the future Governor interested
him, and he learned his name never TO
forget ii.
the war ended, Smith settled in Free
port, H., as foundryman. He had some
money which ne mad inherited and iu-
creased. During the war he had fallen IN
love with the daughter of Mai ARM
strong, Of Chicago. The father objected
TO the proposed alliance, and the result
was an el0pement. Two years later tue
husband was torn away by the law, and
the VIE stood by him nObly. After pay.
ing the expenses OF the trial Smiths PROD
erty was worth some $1,000 when his SEN
tence here began. His wife sold all and
sent him the money. He sent it back,
asking her 70 keep it for herself. as he
would never need IL. She taught music
in Chicago, resisting the wish OF her
father that she should be divorced from
Smith and marry physician who had
wo0ed her as Smiths unsuccessful riya.
Borne down upon by father, lover and
friends, she consented to a divorce when
she heard OF her husbands crime in
prison. Upon this, too, came the Chicago
fire IN 1871, aud burned her home which
smiths money had procured. The courts
gave the wife divorce because her nus
band was a convict and he had no chance
10 meet the suit
Ia the midst Of his prison sorrow Smith
was told OF his wife's marriage TO
another, and he has seldom mentioned her
name since. But be has been regarded
IA n dangerous prisoner, reason for
aeep4uS hlm III bOilldTl confinement. ne
has been constantly busy, ana bis cell.
which 10 nearly over that from which the
loted john Morgan escaped, has been en-
arged into n workshop. He has taken
)ut several valuable patents while in
prison. and has refused $l5,0 for one,
while others are OF acknowledged value.
His steam trap Is especially valuable. lie
devised the steam-neating apparatus used
n the prison. He IS an expert in jewelry
and fancy work. He hopes 20 be released
and then expects To become rIch from his
Inventions. His claim for pardon
. his innocence. and there is serious
ioubt OF his guilt. He claims TO have
been In Buffalo when the BOse murder
was commit ted. Moreover, Mccormick,
he guard from whom Carroll escaped at
New RionmO d, became guard In the
prison several years aiterward. He saw
his man ana at once declared that he W Q
lot the Billy Carroll arrested or gina y
or the Rose murder-not the man WHO |
rad escaped MIN. There are additional
acts to support Carrolps claim OF limo |
,ence. but tho terrible temper OF the man |
md HIS frequent exhibitions Of it have |
lept him in confinement,